Fountain Valley was established in 1966. It is notable for its rivalry with Edison High School, particularly during the American football season when both schools compete in the "Battle of the Bell".[4]
For the first few years after opening, the school had a larger student population than any other high school west of the Mississippi with approximately 4,300 students.[5] Due to the large student body, school days were split into two shifts, mornings for underclassmen and afternoons for upperclassmen.[6] Over the years, enrollment decreased due to various factors, including the opening of Edison High School in 1969.[7]
The athletic teams are known as the Barons and the school colors are red, blue and gold. The school had to renovate some of its buildings, which were sinking, starting in 2002. These renovations yielded new portable buildings in an area that was previously a parking lot. In 2006, these semi-permanent portable buildings were replaced with permanent facilities. In March 2011, the track and football field were renovated. The dirt track was replaced by a synthetic track and the field was replaced with new natural grass.[8] The field has since been replaced by imitation grass and turf.
The school is known for its vocal music program including the advanced choir, called the "Troubadours", which has performed at conferences and conventions.
Fountain Valley High School has an advanced placement (or AP) program which allows high school students to study college-level course work. A wide range of AP courses in every subject area are offered at the school.
Fountain Valley High School has won 18 CIF Team Championships[citation needed]
1973 Girls' swimming
1977 Wrestling
1978 American football
1978 Gymnastics
1980 Girls' gymnastics
1981 Girls' gymnastics
1981 Gymnastics
1985 Baseball
1985 Wrestling
1988 Football
1994 Baseball
1995 Baseball
1996 Girls' volleyball
2005 Girls' cross country
2015 Wrestling
2018 Tennis
2019 Wrestling
2020 Wrestling
Fountain Valley has had two coaches and one athlete enshrined in the CIF hall of fame: Carol Strausberg (basketball coach), Ron LaRuffa (baseball coach) and Shirley Babashoff(swimmer).[citation needed]
The school also holds Five Counties WrestlingChampionships, which is one of the biggest tournaments in the US. The wrestling team has won 29 League Champion titles (Irvine 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974) (Sunset 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1997, 1998, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021).
The American football game against rival Edison High School on December 11, 1980, was the fourth-highest attended game in state history with 28,968 fans in attendance.[4] It was held at Anaheim Stadium, now known as Angel Stadium.